Global markets will be on edge next week as central bankers in the United States, Britain and the euro zone meet for regular policy meetings and US December job figures are released.
Following this week's robust US GDP figures, showing vigorous consumer spending and booming investment, analysts said the Federal Open Market Committee was virtually certain to keep policy steady when it meets on Wednesday.
Where there is a greater chance of a policy shift is in Europe. Mounting evidence of manufacturing weakness in powerhouse economies such as Germany have raised the risk of a cut in the European Central Bank's 3 per cent repo rate. The ECB's policy council meets on Thursday.
Monday
Results: BAA (Q3), BBV, Beale, Birchin International, Mid Wynd International (H1), UNO (H1), Whittard of Chelsea (H1), Western Selection (H1).
A.G.M.: Aukett Associates, Dewhurst, Dunedin Smaller Cos, Network Technology, Photobition (e.g.m.).
Meetings: World Economic Forum with key speakers Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, German Chancellor Gerhard Shroeder and Time Warner vice-chairman Ted Turner (Davos fifth day).
Indicators: Eurostat releases final Q3 national accounts (GDP) data; British purchasing managers' index manufacturing survey (Jan); US personal income/spending (Dec), construction spending (Dec) and National Association of Purchasing Managers (Dec); Japanese foreign reserves (Jan); Italian retail sales (Nov).
Others: British Chambers of Commerce issues pre-budget submission.
tuesday
Results: Arm, Cisco Systems (Q2), Crest Nicholson, Eurodis Electron (H1), Independent Energy (H1), Internet Technology, KLM (Q3), Northamber (H1), PepsiCo (Q4); Skillsgroup.
A.G.M.: Chemex International, Electronic Data Process, Ferguson International (e.g.m.), Imperial Tobacco Group, Sidlaw Group.
Meetings: Final day of annual meeting of World Economic Forum (Davos, Switzerland); US Federal Reserve open markets committee; Dublin Chamber of Commerce breakfast on small and medium enterprises.
Indicators: Irish industrial turnover index (Oct) and Exchequer Borrowing Requirement (Jan); British official reserves (Jan); US leading indicators (Dec) and new home sales (Dec).
Others: British bank Barclays publishes annual equity-gilts study; Confederation of British Industry pre-budget news conference; Coyle Hamilton 1999 commentary; Skycom Software moves into Irish market.
Wednesday
Results: Air Canada (Q4), Edinburgh New Tiger (H1), Firth Rixson (H1), Granada Group (H1), UCB.
Meetings: Bank of England monetary policy committee (to Wed); Bank of France monetary policy council.
Indicators: British purchasing managers' index service survey (Jan); US national association of purchasing managers (Jan).
Others: Swiss Bankers Association annual news conference (Zurich).
Thursday
Results: ABB, Airtouch Communications, Bass, Cammell Laird (H1) Colgate-Palmolive (Q4), Coors (Q4), Fitness First, Hasbro (Q4), ICI, Texas Instruments (Q4).
A.G.M.: API Group, Bass, Micro Focus Group (e.g.m.), RCO Holdings.
Meetings: European Central Bank governing council meeting; Information Society Commission conference on e-commerce and the Net (Dublin Castle); European Union employment and social affairs ministers (Bonn).
Indicators: Irish credit figures (Dec); Eurostat unemployment (Dec); US factory orders (Dec) and weekly jobless claims and monetary data; Japanese wholesale prices (Jan); German manufacturing new orders (Dec); OECD economic survey on France; French consumer sentiment (Jan).
Others: Dell Computer chairman and chief executive officer Michael Dell unveils a foundation stone for Dell's third European Manufacturing Facility with Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O'Rourke (Limerick); British Trades Union Congress announces pre-budget submission; Russian state Duma holds fourth and final reading of government's 1999 draft budget.
Friday
Results: Ecsoft Group, Heavitree Brewery.
A.G.M.: Eldridge Pope & Co, Hozelock, Slimma.
Indicators: Irish Live Register statement (Jan); US unemployment (Jan), average hourly earnings (Jan), average working week (Jan), housing completions (Dec) and consumer credit (Dec); British Retail Consortium releases quarterly economic monitor including its shop price index and employment index for the sector; Italian producer prices (Dec).
Others: J Sainsbury Christmas trading statement.
